The California congressman got 534 votes, but that was more than 40 percent of the total cast in yesterday's low-turnout event in Fort Worth. None of the top-tier candidates competed.

Actor and former senator Fred Thompson came in second with 266 votes and Texas Congressman Ron Paul got 217. Thompson is set to officially jump into the race this week.

Unlike some other so-called beauty-contest votes, the Texas straw poll is open only to party activists. Voting is restricted to people who've been delegates or alternates to recent Republican conventions.

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